Still have doubts about Clint Dempsey and the U.S. national team? Alejandro Bedoya has a few words for you.
The USMNT winger took to the Player’s Tribune website for a post published on Tuesday about the Nats’ run through the Copa America, their huge semifinal match against Argentina and, most importantly for Deuce devotees, Dempsey’s invaluable role with the team even in the face of critics who said his time has passed.
“People know what he can do on the pitch. He’s arguably the best American soccer player right now,” Bedoya writes in the post. “But Clint’s not the guy to give us a Hoosiers-style pump-up speech. If you’re looking for words of wisdom, look elsewhere. He’s not the most vocal guy in the locker room. But Clint’s got something else.
"Clint’s got this — I don’t know really what to call it — he’s just got this Texas swagger. A never-back-down attitude.
“No matter the situation, Clint gives it his all. Even in training some players might think, Oh, I don’t want to get injured. Well, Clint’s gonna go through that tackle, he’s gonna throw that elbow up, he’s gonna push you away.”
Check out the complete post here and don’t miss the USMNT’s match against Argentina on Tuesday (6 p.m. PT; FS1). And here’s a list of Seattle Sounders Pub Partners where you can watch the game.